Background: TGF-beta has been proposed to stimulate chondrogenesis through intracellular pathways involving small mothers against decapentaplegic proteins (Smads).
Objective: To examine the use of exogenous TGF-beta3 to promote new hyaline cartilage formation.
Methods: An overview of in vitro and in vivo evidence on the effects of TGF-beta3 on cartilage regeneration.
Results/conclusion: There is robust in vitro evidence suggesting a positive dose- and time-dependent effect of TGF-beta3 on anabolic chondrogenic gene markers such as alpha1-collagen type II and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein in human mesenchymal stem cells. TGF-beta3 cultured with silk elastin-like polymer scaffold carrier exhibits significantly increased glycosaminoglycan and collagen content. In vivo data showed that TGF-beta3 cultured with ovine mesenchymal stem cells in a chitosan scaffold stimulated the growth of hyaline cartilage that was fully integrated into host cartilage tissue of sheep. We highlight the potential for the clinical enhancement of cartilage formation through the use of TGF-beta3 with a suitable dose and scaffold carrier.